Week 18 of the NFL regular season is finally here. I was 10-6 with my Week 17 picks. With just sixteen games left, I’m 170-86 on the season. That’s over 65-percent accuracy which is quite good, but far below my 70-percent average from last season. Let’s see how well I do for the final week of regular season games.
Saturday Football (Afternoon Game) — Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winner: Buccaneers
With the Atlanta Falcons upsetting the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, the Buccaneers’
path to the postseason had a wrench thrown int. They must now win and have the New Orleans Saints defeat the Atlanta Falcons to secure the NFC South and earn a playoff berth. That’s unfortunate news for them. Can they finally end their four-game win streak and do their part to get to the postseason? I think so.
Saturday Football (Night Game) — Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Winner: 49ers
This NFC West heavyweight matchup is for the division title and the number one seed in the NFC. Both of these teams have defied the odds and impressed all season. This is going to be a must-watch game for all football fans. The 49ers inched out a close victory in their first matchup in Week 1. I expect this will be another close game. I’ve got the 49ers finding a way to gut this key game out in front of a hometown crowd.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Winner: Saints
Both the Saints and Falcons have reeled off multi-game winning streaks after starting off the season horribly. As mentioned above, Tampa Bay fans are desperately hoping the Saints finish the season off on a high note and earn their fifth-straight victory. And guess what? I’m predicting that to happen. Based on my picks, the Buccaneers are in the playoffs as the NFC South champions.
Sunday Football (Earl Game) — Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Winner: Bengals
The Browns were able to upset the Pittsburgh Steelers and play spoiler last weekend. I don’t expect them to have the same success against the Bengals, who have notched back-to-back wins with impressive offensive performances. I’ve got Cincinnati at home in this one.
Saturday Football (Evening Game) — Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Winner: Vikings
The Packers have dropped three in a row. Luckily, they already punched their postseason ticket. Meanwhile, the Vikings are riding a four-game winning streak. I’m not sure if the Packers are expected to rest players or not. They are the seven seed in the NFC regardless of the outcome. My bet is that is the case. With that in mind, I’ll take Minnesota at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Winner: Cowboys
Another game, another division rivalry matchup. With the Giants beating the Las Vegas Raiders last week, they find themselves on the outside looking in with respect to the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cowboys? Out of the playoffs for the second season in a row. Even so, I’ve still got Dallas winning this one.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Winner: Jaguars
There are some ways the Jaguars can still be the #1 seed in the AFC. That seems improbable. With a win against the Titans, they will be the AFC South champions and get to host a playoff game. I feel confident that scenario will happen.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Winner: Texans
After a rough start to the year, DeMeco Ryans and the Texans have really done well down the stretch. Their defense has been the strength of their team that has carried them all season long. I’m predicting a win at home, which will likely lock them in as the #5 seed in the AFC playoff race.
Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) — New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Winner: Jets
A failed two-point conversion attempt at the end of last week’s game officially kicked the Bills out of contending for the AFC East title. That belongs to the New England Patriots. Regardless, I think they will find a way to beat the Jets who’ve been awful the entire season. I’m taking Buffalo at home.
Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) — Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Winner: Bears
With the Bears losing to the 49ers, they have no shot at the #1 seed in the NFC. They are assured the second or third seed no matter what happens in this game. Some thought Ben Johnson might rest his players, but he stated earlier in the week they are playing to win—indicating the starters will be a go for Sunday’s division rivalry game against the Lions. Division games are always tough, and the Lions are a gritty team, but I think the Bears find a way to end the season off with a big victory. I’m taking Chicago.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders
Winner: Chiefs
It makes my heart smile the Chiefs and Raiders have had down seasons. I don’t really care who wins this game. I’m taking Kansas City here which will officially gift the Raiders the #1 pick next April.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
Winner: Broncos
The Chargers and Broncos are both in the playoffs. Los Angeles will be a wild card team, but the Broncos can earn the AFC’s top seed, first-round bye and homefield advantage by taking down their rivals in front of Broncos Country on Sunday. That’s a result I’m hoping for and believe will happen. Obviously, I’m taking Denver.
Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) — Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Winner: Patriots
If the Patriots beat the Dolphins and the Broncos lose to the Chargers, New England will be the top seed in the AFC. With that at stake, they will certainly be playing their starters. I believe Drake Maye, who might even be the front runner for MVP honors, is going to have another huge game and deliver the Patriots their fourteen victory of the season.
Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) — Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Winner: Rams
After their last second loss to the Falcons, the Rams are now relegated to being either the fifth or sixth seed in the NFC. Bummer for them. Whether they rest their starters or not, I think they defeat the Cardinals who have dropped eight games in a row. I’m picking Los Angeles.
Sunday Football (Afternoon Game) — Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
Winner: Eagles
The Eagles will be the second or third seed in the NFC no matter what happens here. They still have the perks of being the NFC East division winners and get to host a playoff game. The rumor is they may rest some starters. Even so, I think they beat Washington who’ve looked terrible for the entire season.
Sunday Night Football — Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Winner: Ravens
The Steelers had a chance to make the playoffs and secure the AFC North division title had they beat the Browns last weekend. Unfortunately, they didn’t rise to the occasion and lost to the lowly Browns. That sets up a primetime matchup in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore was able to outduel the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. The Ravens are expected to have Lamar Jackson and a few players back for this game. It’ll be a tough go of it on the road, but I think Baltimore is poised to come back and win the division. Pretty impressive given how bad they were earlier in the season.
